CONSERVATION OF ARABIAN GAZELLES - Nwrc.gov.sa

CM & AG: We should not forget in silu conservation measures. Future management options could
include the repopulation of other islands, and maybe the permission of controlled hunting. Some
individuals could be reintroduced on the mainland, depending on the validity of the subspecies.
IN: We need to do further research onfarasani, and assess the density of the population.
EH: Mitochondrial DNA would be an appropriate technique to judge the taxonomic validity of this
subspecies.
- AG: Should G. g. erlangeri be considered as a valid subspecies
CG: Skins of erlangeri and muscalensis are identical but the horns and skulls are different. The main
characteristics of erlangeri are the small size, a very dark color, and straighter horns than cora.
AG: It is fundamentally necessary to detennine its distribution as no wild population has ever been
reported. Even though no evidence of erlangeri in Saudi Arabia has yet been found, the survey
done by CM should be continued, and if possible, extended to Yemen. Mitochondrial DNA
comparison with other taxa would also be interesting.
- AG: Should G. g. muscatensis be considered a valid SUbspecies
CG: The horns are more open in muscalensis than in erlangeri, and the females have longer horns.
They are probably close subspecies.
DW: A team should be sent to Oman to look at their cora and muscalensis.
erlangeri
- AG: How can we solve the taxonomic status of G. bilkis Is it identical to G. g.
AG: This species is known from only five specimens. It may be extinct. Field surveys in Yemen are a
high conservation priority.
KH: There may be one Bilkis gazelle in a German zoo.
AG: You should contact them. We are awaiting the results of mitochondrial DNA analysis on hairs
from specimens of the Field Natural History Museum of Chicago. Unfortunately, D. Woodruff
from the University of California, La Jolla, has not for the moment been successful in extracting
DNA.
- AG: What are the taxonomic differences between G. s. marica and G. s. subgutturosa
Are they valid subspecies
AG: I think that, after the presentations, everybody is agreed that marica and subgullurosa can be
considered as valid subspecies (agreement of everybody).
DW: We can get some samples of Pakistani subgullurosa from Al Wabra, Qatar. During the NCWCD
expedition in the Rub al Khali, 24 rheem skulls were collected. They have been measured and
compared with the sand gazelle at Qassim. There were no real differences.
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